Scenes from the maiden voyage of the Project Hope hospital ship "SS Hope" to Indonesia in October 1960. Brief view of stack on ship SS Hope (the former United States hospital ship USS Consolation, AH-15) with painted text "Project Hope" and "The People to People Health Foundation, Inc." visible on the stack. Interior views of various medical equipment aboard the ship, examination areas, and dental examination chairs. Man in a supply area works on a document. View on ship's deck. View from pier of the ship at harbor. Letters 'HOPE' on side of ship. Rapid brief scenes from a ceremony with Indonesian officials on the pier, and of Indonesian guests and officials touring the ship's facilities. Scenes of guests and staff departing the ship onto pier and being welcomed by officials as they shake hands. Sign "Angkatan Darat" on a gangway. Arrival ceremony for members of the crew. Indonesian officials speak and Dr. William Walsh speaks. Additional views of Indonesian guests and officials touring the ship and greeting nurses, doctors, and staff of the ship.

The promise of independence for Indonesia is broadcast throughout the city of Jakarta, following a ceremony at Istana Gambir, or the Gambir Palace (later renamed the Merdeka Palace). Exterior of Gambir Palace in Jakarta Indonesia. Indonesian leader Sukarno, head of the Japanese-created Poesat Tenaga Rakjat (POETERA - Concentration of People's Power) emerges from a car, climbs steps, and enters the Gambir Palace. He stands together with other Indonesian officials. Imperial Japanese Army Lt-General Kumakichi Harada addresses the gathering and delivers news of Japanese Prime Minister Koiso's September 7, 1944 promise of future independence for Indonesia (the so-called Koiso Declaration). Large Japanese flag seen on the wall behind speakers. Sukarno approaches General Harada , bows and then speaks into a microphone. Scenes of jubilation in the streets of Jakarta as citizens hear the news that Japan has promised future independence for Indonesia (date undeclared). A man standing atop a truck announces the news over a megaphone. People stand near the truck, listen and cheer. A caravan of loaded trucks rolls slowly through a Jakarta neigborhood spreading the news about the promised independence. Citizens cheer and smile. People standing at a railway station and at stopped trains hear the news and cheer. Citizens including men, women, and many children wave to the passing caravan. Sign on side of truck includes words "Bangsa Indonesia diperkenankan merdeka" meaning "Indonesia allowed Independence". Clip is from a Japanese newsreel during World War 2, with Japanese narration.

The Afro-Asian conference opens in Indonesia. Traffic on the road. A sign reads 'SWRAHA' on a building. Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru arrives for the conference in Jakarta Indonesia and his party ascends the steps of Merdeka Palace. Dignitaries from Asia and Africa seated on table. They talk about how to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation, and oppose colonialism or neocolonialism by the United States. Men in the background record the conference. A sign reads 'Indonesia' 'Birma' Sailan' on a table. A map of the Republic of Indonesia.

A film shows Bandung, Indonesia preparing for the first Asian-African Conference in April 1955. People and vehicular traffic on a road. Guards outside doors in a building. A map shows Asia and Africa. Dignitaries including Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and others climb up the stairs of a building. Delegates of the organizing countries such as Burma, Indonesia and India in a conference. A map of the Republic of Indonesia. People in the streets.